I am not going as detaliled as I would like, so here it goes, the complete reader's digest version of my predictions, plus some commentary at the end, and away we go!
* Denotes playoff birth
AFC North
1. Steelers* (Bye)
2. Browns*
3. Bengals
4. Ravens
The Steelers may be the next AFC dynasty, with great talent on offense. The Browns surge is no fluke, but the Bengals are a mess and the Ravens are at least 2 years away from being any good.
AFC West
1. Chargers*
2. Broncos
3. Raiders
4. Chiefs
The Chargers are still the best, and you guys will love rookie RB Jacob Hester. The Broncos are not as good as thought, but better than the Raiders who have a weak defense, and the Chiefs who have a new team.
AFC East
1. Patriots* (Bye)
2. Bills
3. Jets
4. Dolphins
We know how good New England is, but the Bills are the Browns of 2007. The Jets will still struggle, and the Dolphins are in a tailspin, but with Parcells they have a brighter future.
AFC South
1. Jaguars*
2. Colts*
3. Texans
4. Titans
Jacksonville has the better team this year, as the Colts are starting to age, and noticeably at that. Houston could have a breakout year, but the Titans are taking a big step back.
NFC North
1. Packers*
2. Bears*
3. Vikings
4. Lions
With or without Brett Favre, the Packers are still the best. The Bears defense carries them yet again. The Lions just suck, and the Vikings need a QB, and Tavaris Jackson is not it, neither is Gus Frerotte.
NFC West
1. Seahawks*
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams
Mike Holmgren goes out on top once again, but the Cards should really do well-if Edge doesn't get hurt (no RB depth). The 49ers Alex Smith is a bust-but Mike Martz has to be a big coup as the OC. The Rams are terrible. End of story.
NFC East
1. Giants* (Bye)
2. Eagles*
3. Cowboys
4. Redskins
Eli Manning continues to make strides, and TE Jeremy Shockey is no longer a locker room distraction. The Eagles have a chip on their shoulder from a year ago. The Cowboys are overrated, and Jim Zorn has help in Jason Taylor on defense, and on the bright side, Jason Campbell can be a good NFL QB.
NFC South
1. Saints* (Bye)
2. Panthers
3. Buccaneers
4. Falcons
The Saints are marching, and want to show last year was a fluke. The Panthers are also as determined, but not as talented as the Saints. The Bucs are old, and the Falcons are now an expansion franchise who will be good in 3 years.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
2008 College Football Preview Big 10
Once again, Ohio State was thumped by an SEC team in the Title game for the second straight year. Look, I think this conference needs to change the way they do things, and I noticed an open date in the schedule (Good, but add another one). So, what will it be like this year?
1. Ohio State Buckeyes-With 18 starters back, a trip to Miami is not out of the question. Circle Sept 13 on your calendar, the USC game could be a deal breaker for OSU making it to Miami.
2. Wisconsin Badgers-Like OSU, loaded back with talent, but they have a tendency to fold. If injuries are kept to a minimum, this could be their year.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini-Despite losing Reshard Mendenhall, the Illini may be better than they were last year. This team is young, and Ron Zook admitted this team did not live up to its potential last year. If they get their act together this year, they will be SCARY.
4. Penn St Nittany Lions-Coach Joe Pa still keeps going, but if the Fighting Paterno's want to contend in the Big 10, they need a QB.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes-Kirk Ferentz needs a good year, possibly to save his job. Will another 7-5 year cut it? Nope
6. Michigan State Spartans-Sparty might be the sleeping giant here. The Spartans lost no game by more than 7 points last year, showing the heart this team has. But with only 11 starters back, and the best WR now in the NFL, they can still surprise, so watch out.
7. Northwestern Wildcats-Pat Fitgerald may have his best team in Evanston this year. But the top light bottom heavy schedule could do them in as far as a bowl game goes.
8. Michigan Wolverines-Sorry, but Rich Rodriguez lacks the talent to run his offense. But the good news is the defense is well loaded. But without the playmakers on offense, you can see why Lloyd Carr stepped down. The Wolverines are too young to make anything happen this year. I'll be shocked if they win more than 5 games this year.
9. Indiana Hoosiers-Last year was magical, but it was last year. Overcoming the tragic death of Terry Hoepnner, the Hoosiers led by head coach Bill Lynch played well. The departure of James Hardy is going to be hard on the offense, but they can still make plays. If luck falls their way, they can finish in the top half of the conference, but luck can only take you so far.
10. Purdue Boilermakers-Fans ought to be drinking plenty of those before the games start. While Curtis Painter is the lone bright spot, this team is very inconsistent. Joe Tiller though does his best when his job is on the line.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers-I think Duke is better than this team. Seriously.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes-With 18 starters back, a trip to Miami is not out of the question. Circle Sept 13 on your calendar, the USC game could be a deal breaker for OSU making it to Miami.
2. Wisconsin Badgers-Like OSU, loaded back with talent, but they have a tendency to fold. If injuries are kept to a minimum, this could be their year.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini-Despite losing Reshard Mendenhall, the Illini may be better than they were last year. This team is young, and Ron Zook admitted this team did not live up to its potential last year. If they get their act together this year, they will be SCARY.
4. Penn St Nittany Lions-Coach Joe Pa still keeps going, but if the Fighting Paterno's want to contend in the Big 10, they need a QB.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes-Kirk Ferentz needs a good year, possibly to save his job. Will another 7-5 year cut it? Nope
6. Michigan State Spartans-Sparty might be the sleeping giant here. The Spartans lost no game by more than 7 points last year, showing the heart this team has. But with only 11 starters back, and the best WR now in the NFL, they can still surprise, so watch out.
7. Northwestern Wildcats-Pat Fitgerald may have his best team in Evanston this year. But the top light bottom heavy schedule could do them in as far as a bowl game goes.
8. Michigan Wolverines-Sorry, but Rich Rodriguez lacks the talent to run his offense. But the good news is the defense is well loaded. But without the playmakers on offense, you can see why Lloyd Carr stepped down. The Wolverines are too young to make anything happen this year. I'll be shocked if they win more than 5 games this year.
9. Indiana Hoosiers-Last year was magical, but it was last year. Overcoming the tragic death of Terry Hoepnner, the Hoosiers led by head coach Bill Lynch played well. The departure of James Hardy is going to be hard on the offense, but they can still make plays. If luck falls their way, they can finish in the top half of the conference, but luck can only take you so far.
10. Purdue Boilermakers-Fans ought to be drinking plenty of those before the games start. While Curtis Painter is the lone bright spot, this team is very inconsistent. Joe Tiller though does his best when his job is on the line.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers-I think Duke is better than this team. Seriously.
2008 College Football Preview ACC
A new look this year to the previews, I'll give the predicted order of finish, and highlight a couple of teams.
ACC
The ACC had a bad year last year. While having a lot of good athletes (2nd only to the SEC in NFL starters by the way), the post season was bland at best. Va. Tech was the top dog last year, but who is the one to knock them off this year? can they be knocked off?
Coastal
1. Virginia Tech Hokies-The good news is the Hokies have a lot of starters returning on offense, but are still unsure about who the starting QB is; Sean Glennon is efficient, but Tyrod Taylor is the better athlete and gives defenses new problems. The defense is the tougher job, finding 7 new starters. At least this is a weak division, so Tech should go to Jacksonville again this year.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels-The Tar Heels are back, well close anyway. Butch Davis has 10 starters back on offense, but only 5 on defense. 7 wins are a possibility, as is a bowl game.
3. Virginia Cavaliers-A surprise that won't surprise this year. If they win, it will be boring, and the defense may not have enough in the tank to bail them out.
4. Miami Hurricanes-Randy Shannon's 1st season was disappointing, but there is optimism in Miami. The Orange Bowl is gone, now they share Pro Player Stadium w/ the Dolphins. This team is real young, so 5 or 6 wins could be the norm for a couple of years anyway.
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets-Paul Johnson brings the Flexbone offense to the Yellow Jackets, but will it work here? I don't think it will in 2008, but 2009 will be a break out year.
6. Duke Blue Devils-David Cutcliffe had only 1 losing season at Ole Miss, his last. The bad news is no new QB named Manning is waiting in the wings, but 3 wins is reason enough to celebrate.
Atlantic
1. Clemson Tigers-If Tommy Bowden can get people off of his back, this is the year to do it. From top to bottom, Clemson has the best talent in this conference. The only ?'s are on the O-Line, and LB on defense. But they should get the O-line resolved quicker than LB, and be a force.
2. Florida State Seminoles-What is it about FSU that has me higher on them than everyone else? Jimbo Fisher. In his 2nd year (Auburn, LSU) he really had great offenses. Legal troubles for players aside, the Noles Defense is impressive, and that should help the offense out quite a bit.
3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons-Good enough to win the division, but despite a favorable schedule, the Sept 20 game at FSU could determine the season for the Deacons.
4. Boston College Eagles-Life without Matt Ryan begins here, the defense is missing 7 starters from last year, and on offense WR Brandon Robinson returns. This is a rebuilding year.
5. Maryland Terrepins-The Terps haven't lived up to the reputation of Ralph Freidgen's reputation, but they might do it this year. But the Terps will be done in by an inexperienced defense once again.
6. NC State Wolfpack-The good news? Let me get back to you. With 9 starters back, that may be a good or bad thing. 2010 can't come soon enough for the Pack, by then they'll be in ACC fray.
ACC
The ACC had a bad year last year. While having a lot of good athletes (2nd only to the SEC in NFL starters by the way), the post season was bland at best. Va. Tech was the top dog last year, but who is the one to knock them off this year? can they be knocked off?
Coastal
1. Virginia Tech Hokies-The good news is the Hokies have a lot of starters returning on offense, but are still unsure about who the starting QB is; Sean Glennon is efficient, but Tyrod Taylor is the better athlete and gives defenses new problems. The defense is the tougher job, finding 7 new starters. At least this is a weak division, so Tech should go to Jacksonville again this year.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels-The Tar Heels are back, well close anyway. Butch Davis has 10 starters back on offense, but only 5 on defense. 7 wins are a possibility, as is a bowl game.
3. Virginia Cavaliers-A surprise that won't surprise this year. If they win, it will be boring, and the defense may not have enough in the tank to bail them out.
4. Miami Hurricanes-Randy Shannon's 1st season was disappointing, but there is optimism in Miami. The Orange Bowl is gone, now they share Pro Player Stadium w/ the Dolphins. This team is real young, so 5 or 6 wins could be the norm for a couple of years anyway.
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets-Paul Johnson brings the Flexbone offense to the Yellow Jackets, but will it work here? I don't think it will in 2008, but 2009 will be a break out year.
6. Duke Blue Devils-David Cutcliffe had only 1 losing season at Ole Miss, his last. The bad news is no new QB named Manning is waiting in the wings, but 3 wins is reason enough to celebrate.
Atlantic
1. Clemson Tigers-If Tommy Bowden can get people off of his back, this is the year to do it. From top to bottom, Clemson has the best talent in this conference. The only ?'s are on the O-Line, and LB on defense. But they should get the O-line resolved quicker than LB, and be a force.
2. Florida State Seminoles-What is it about FSU that has me higher on them than everyone else? Jimbo Fisher. In his 2nd year (Auburn, LSU) he really had great offenses. Legal troubles for players aside, the Noles Defense is impressive, and that should help the offense out quite a bit.
3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons-Good enough to win the division, but despite a favorable schedule, the Sept 20 game at FSU could determine the season for the Deacons.
4. Boston College Eagles-Life without Matt Ryan begins here, the defense is missing 7 starters from last year, and on offense WR Brandon Robinson returns. This is a rebuilding year.
5. Maryland Terrepins-The Terps haven't lived up to the reputation of Ralph Freidgen's reputation, but they might do it this year. But the Terps will be done in by an inexperienced defense once again.
6. NC State Wolfpack-The good news? Let me get back to you. With 9 starters back, that may be a good or bad thing. 2010 can't come soon enough for the Pack, by then they'll be in ACC fray.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
It's Been a While
My last posts were about the NFL Draft, which now seems like ages ago. Football has gone into what I like to call hibernation, and so have I for the most part. I am going to issue a couple of posts per month, I would love to do biweekly posts, but have no time.
Starting in July, I will preview the NFL and College conferences, all of them like I did last year, except I will cover the NFL better this year than last. Some publications are out for the 2008 College Football season, can we say jumping the gun everybody?
On other fronts, future posts will include new coach spotlights, and my general commentary on topics in football, including what I call the biggest form of racism running rampant among all football analysts, so just saying stay tuned! I'm still here!
Starting in July, I will preview the NFL and College conferences, all of them like I did last year, except I will cover the NFL better this year than last. Some publications are out for the 2008 College Football season, can we say jumping the gun everybody?
On other fronts, future posts will include new coach spotlights, and my general commentary on topics in football, including what I call the biggest form of racism running rampant among all football analysts, so just saying stay tuned! I'm still here!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Final 2008 Mock Draft
1 (1) Miami Dolphins Jake Long, OT Michigan
2 (2) St. Louis Rams Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
3 (3) Atlanta Falcons Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
4 (4) Oakland Raiders Chris Long, DE Virginia
5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St
6 (6) New York Jets Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
7 (7) New England Patriots Keith Rivers, LB USC
8 (8) Baltimore Ravens Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma
10 (10) New Orleans Saints Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tenn. St.
11 (11) Buffalo Bills Devin Thomas, WR Michigan St.
12 (12) Denver Broncos Ryan Clady, OT Boise St.
13 (13) Carolina Panthers Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
14 (14) Chicago Bears Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
15 (15) Detroit Lions Branden Albert, G Virginia
16 (16) Arizona Cardinals Dan Connor, LB Penn St.
17 (17) Kansas City Chiefs Jeff Otah, OT Pitt
18 (18) Houston Texans Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
19 (19) Philadelphia Eagles Sam Baker, OT USC
20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aqib Talib, CB Kansas
21 (21) Washington Redskins Limas Sweed, WR Texas
22 (22) Dallas Cowboys Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers James Hardy, WR Indiana
24 (24) Tennessee Titans DeSean Jackson, WR Cal
25 (25) Seattle Seahawks Jamaal Charles, RB Texas
26 (26) Jacksonville Jaguars Kenny Phillips, S Miami
27 (27) San Diego Chargers Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina
28 (28) Dallas Cowboys Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
29 (29) San Francisco 49ers Gosder Cherilus, OT Boston College
30 (30) Green Bay Packers Dustin Keller, TE Purdue
31 (31) New York Giants Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee
2 (2) St. Louis Rams Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
3 (3) Atlanta Falcons Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
4 (4) Oakland Raiders Chris Long, DE Virginia
5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St
6 (6) New York Jets Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
7 (7) New England Patriots Keith Rivers, LB USC
8 (8) Baltimore Ravens Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma
10 (10) New Orleans Saints Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tenn. St.
11 (11) Buffalo Bills Devin Thomas, WR Michigan St.
12 (12) Denver Broncos Ryan Clady, OT Boise St.
13 (13) Carolina Panthers Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
14 (14) Chicago Bears Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
15 (15) Detroit Lions Branden Albert, G Virginia
16 (16) Arizona Cardinals Dan Connor, LB Penn St.
17 (17) Kansas City Chiefs Jeff Otah, OT Pitt
18 (18) Houston Texans Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
19 (19) Philadelphia Eagles Sam Baker, OT USC
20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aqib Talib, CB Kansas
21 (21) Washington Redskins Limas Sweed, WR Texas
22 (22) Dallas Cowboys Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers James Hardy, WR Indiana
24 (24) Tennessee Titans DeSean Jackson, WR Cal
25 (25) Seattle Seahawks Jamaal Charles, RB Texas
26 (26) Jacksonville Jaguars Kenny Phillips, S Miami
27 (27) San Diego Chargers Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina
28 (28) Dallas Cowboys Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
29 (29) San Francisco 49ers Gosder Cherilus, OT Boston College
30 (30) Green Bay Packers Dustin Keller, TE Purdue
31 (31) New York Giants Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Team Needs-2008 Draft
From my observations, this is what I think the teams in the draft are looking for:
(Please note when I have entire defense/offense listed, it means 1 from each position is needed)
Arizona Cardinals: RB, Entire Defense
Atlanta Falcons: QB, OL, DL
Baltimore Ravens: Entire Defense (Not safety), OL
Buffalo Bills: WR, TE, CB
Carolina Panthers: QB, RB, OL, DL
Chicago Bears: Entire Offense, DL
Cincinnati Bengals: WR, RB, OL, Front 7
Cleveland Browns (4 picks only): RB, LB, CB
Dallas Cowboys: RB, CB, WR, ILB
Denver Broncos: OL, WR, DL, CB
Detroit Lions: OL, RB, Entire Defense
Green Bay Packers: OL, RB, Secondary
Houston Texans: OL, RB, Back 7 of Defense
Indianapolis Colts: OL, Front 7
Jacksonville Jaguars: OL, DL, S
Kansas City Chiefs: OL, CB, DL
Miami Dolphins: Entire Offense, DL, Secondary
Minnesota Vikings: QB, OL, DL
New England Patriots: CB, OL, LB
New Orleans Saints: DT, CB, TE, OL
New York Giants: OL, LB, S
New York Jets: RB, WR, Front 7
Oakland Raiders: OL, WR, Entire Defense
Philadelphia Eagles: Secondary, OL, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR, OL, DL, CB
San Diego Chargers: OL, DL, S, RB
San Francisco 49ers: OL, WR, DL, Secondary
Seattle Seahawks: Entire Offense (Except QB), DL
St. Louis Rams: OL, WR, Entire Defense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR, TE, Secondary
Tennessee Titans: RB, WR, OL, DL
Washington Redskins: WR, Entire Defense
(Please note when I have entire defense/offense listed, it means 1 from each position is needed)
Arizona Cardinals: RB, Entire Defense
Atlanta Falcons: QB, OL, DL
Baltimore Ravens: Entire Defense (Not safety), OL
Buffalo Bills: WR, TE, CB
Carolina Panthers: QB, RB, OL, DL
Chicago Bears: Entire Offense, DL
Cincinnati Bengals: WR, RB, OL, Front 7
Cleveland Browns (4 picks only): RB, LB, CB
Dallas Cowboys: RB, CB, WR, ILB
Denver Broncos: OL, WR, DL, CB
Detroit Lions: OL, RB, Entire Defense
Green Bay Packers: OL, RB, Secondary
Houston Texans: OL, RB, Back 7 of Defense
Indianapolis Colts: OL, Front 7
Jacksonville Jaguars: OL, DL, S
Kansas City Chiefs: OL, CB, DL
Miami Dolphins: Entire Offense, DL, Secondary
Minnesota Vikings: QB, OL, DL
New England Patriots: CB, OL, LB
New Orleans Saints: DT, CB, TE, OL
New York Giants: OL, LB, S
New York Jets: RB, WR, Front 7
Oakland Raiders: OL, WR, Entire Defense
Philadelphia Eagles: Secondary, OL, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR, OL, DL, CB
San Diego Chargers: OL, DL, S, RB
San Francisco 49ers: OL, WR, DL, Secondary
Seattle Seahawks: Entire Offense (Except QB), DL
St. Louis Rams: OL, WR, Entire Defense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR, TE, Secondary
Tennessee Titans: RB, WR, OL, DL
Washington Redskins: WR, Entire Defense
T Minus 13 days
In just that time, the NFL Draft will have started, 2 weeks from today is the final day. I have been out for a while, so I am late in prepping. Just to let you know I have my lists of players at all positions, yes even kickers and punters, and will get my top picks in at each position, just not in time to post them, so when my Mock Draft hits, you'll have an idea of who I like, not who the experts do.
It should get fun! This draft is very unpredictable like last years, and promises to have a lot of intrigue and suspense!
It should get fun! This draft is very unpredictable like last years, and promises to have a lot of intrigue and suspense!
Friday, March 14, 2008
A lot has gone on!
Well, where to start? Personally I am trying to get a new job, and have interviews, work, relatives and the crisis of turning 30.
A lot is going on in Football-Recruiting, NFL Free Agency, Brett Favre's retirement and the upcoming draft to boot.
Here is what is to come:
Wrap up of 2007 College Football Season (Within the week)
Brett Favre-NOT the greatest QB
NFL Free Agency
NFL Draft Needs
Top Players in Draft (Early to Mid April)
A lot is going on in Football-Recruiting, NFL Free Agency, Brett Favre's retirement and the upcoming draft to boot.
Here is what is to come:
Wrap up of 2007 College Football Season (Within the week)
Brett Favre-NOT the greatest QB
NFL Free Agency
NFL Draft Needs
Top Players in Draft (Early to Mid April)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)